Dispur alleges BJP-Songbijit nexus

OUR CORRESPONDENT

Assam power minister Pradyut Bordoloi speaks at the news conference in Guwahati on Monday. Picture by UB Photos

Guwahati, May 12: The Assam government today claimed that the BJP had taken the help of the Songbijit faction of the NDFB, a proscribed militant outfit, in the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls for electoral gains in the state.

Government spokesperson and power minister Pradyut Bordoloi today said the police were investigating the matter and, if required, the government would recommend an NIA probe to the Centre.

He told reporters here today that it was a serious matter that a national political party like the BJP had taken the help of a militant group for electoral gains.

“The state government has already recommended an NIA investigation into the recent killings in the BTAD carried out by suspected militants of the Songbijit faction and we hope this aspect (nexus between the BJP and the NDFB-S) will also be looked into. If required, the state government will recommend a separate NIA probe into it,” Bordoloi said.

He said BJP office-bearers Bhaba Goswami and Vijay Gupta and BJP candidate for Tezpur Lok Sabha seat Ram Prasad Sharma had told a local television channel, on the sidelines of an election rally of Narendra Modi at Biswanath Chariali in Sonitpur district on March 30, that they had a meeting with cadres of NDFB (Songbijit) and surrendered NDFB members at Bhalukpong.

“Goswami had clearly told the television channel that both NDFB (Songbijit) and surrendered NDFB members had given an assurance of support to the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls,” Bordoloi said.

He said on March 31, based on a FIR lodged by Bogiram Bora, father of the Congress candidate from Tezpur, Bhupen Kumar Borah, at Biswanath Chariali police station, a case (number 64/14) was registered against the BJP under Sections 120 (b), 171 (c), 506 and 34 of the IPC and Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Investigations are on, he added.

“But Goswami, whose questioning by police holds the key to the investigation of the case, is absconding. The police are conducting raids but have not been able to track him down yet. It is suspected that the BJP has hidden him, fearing that his interrogation will expose the party’s links with NDFB (S),” Bordoloi said.

The Congress has filed a complaint with the Election Commission and the chief electoral officer of Assam against the three BJP members for their alleged nexus with the NDFB (S).

The AGP has also demanded that the Election Commission conduct an inquiry and take stern action against the BJP leaders.